Page 300 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

331.

RICHMOND MAIN SCHOOL

Spontaneous combustion caused enormous problems and costs. Falls, timbering
and fires seem to have made this mining a most hazardous occupation to the worker.
The miner was seeking to improve his lot and to obtain a larger share of the
riches of this new coalfield production. Many disputes and strikes arose over
a wide spectrum of issues - naked lights, tonnage rates, hours and shifts worked,
size of skips, etc. etc. The list seemed endless. In addition, as unionists,
the miners supported and embraced other causes, such as the '1917 railway strike'.
Thus, the mine owners and management found that they had to join forces to meet
these industrial issues. John Brown, of the J. & A. Brown Group, in particular,
took a very strong stand on most issues.

During the 1917 railway strike which lasted for nine (9) months, and
which was supported by the mining unions, it would appear that John Brown made
agreements with both the N.S.W. and Victorian State Governments to continue working
his Richmond Main Colliery to provide coal for Victorian industry. To achieve
this, the Victorian Government promised to supply non-union labour; the N.S.W.
Government promised to provide Police Constables to safeguard the 'scab labour',
and to receive the very lucrative long distance rail freights; in return, John
Brown promised to keep his Richmond Main Colliery working, and also to maintain
his profits.

Early in 1918, Mr. William Kearsley, Member of Parliament for the
Cessnock Electorate, advised the N.S.W. Parliament that the Department of Labour
and Industry reported that men had been engaged in Victoria to work at Richmond
Main Colliery. The total number is not available, but Richmond Main Colliery
did work with non-union labour. These miners, their wives and families, were
housed in tents and quarters there and protection was given by N.S.W. Police
and private Constables engaged by the colliery.

'Scab labour' at any mine or mining township is a most unpleasant
situation. Such persons are treated in a vile and harsh manner by all and sundry.
They are ostracized. Even in this particular case, the women and children of
the non-union miners received not only verbal abuse, but also frequent jostling
etc., at shops, which was most unsettling. Schools would not accept pupils
from the Richmond Main non-union camp.